Welcome to chapter three of my Twilight fanfic, Evening Falls. Thank you all SO much for your comments on the last chapter!

EVENING FALLS

Chapter Three: Choices

'here's where I stand, here's who I am...'

Absently, I stirred the the contents of the bowl Esme had set before me, occasionally fishing a piece of fruit out of the yogurt and forcing myself to swallow it, despite the fact that my stomach was as unwilling to accept food as it had been the day before. Every few minutes, I surreptitiously raised my eyes to look over my shoulder at Carlisle, who I could clearly see through the open doorway to the dining room. Each time I looked at him, he was still seated at the dining room table, seemingly absorbed in his paper, but I was positive that whenever I looked away, he was watching me. Probably waiting for the signs of my inevitable, irreversible mental breakdown. I couldn't really blame him for being concerned.

I was trying as hard as I could to hold myself together, but I'd woken up screaming twice the night before. It was almost too strange to realize that I'd once loved to sleep, and to dream. I thought of the nights I'd rushed to my room to lose myself in a book before drifting off, and all those weekend and summer mornings where I did nothing more than snuggle inside my warm sheets, perfectly content to stay in my nocturnal world for as long as possible. It seemed like a lifetime ago, which of course, it really was.

Esme walked past me with a fresh bowl of water for Mr. Giggles. He was right behind her as she set it down. She reached a tentative hand towards him, testing the waters, but her attempts at peace-making were useless. Mr. Giggles hissed, then sprang, obviously having no problem whatsoever with biting the hand that fed him. Esme grimaced slightly, unhurt but offended, as she stood up and reached for his cat food.

"I'll do that, Esme." I chirped, sliding off the kitchen stool and coming over to take the bag from her hand.

Esme was not fooled by my light tone. Her eyebrows raised. "Is that your way of saying that you're done eating?" She asked, looking at my still half full bowl on the counter.

I smiled apologetically and she smiled back. "It's alright. We'll just keep trying." For a moment she was quiet as she watched me fill Mr. Giggles' bowl, then kneel down to stroke his fur as he ate hungrily. When she spoke again, her voice was hesitant. "Mrs. Haversham called this morning. She thinks she'll be able to pick up Mr. Giggles in a day or two. She and her husband are negotiating to buy the Marshes' property. The Marshes are moving to Florida-they think the climate will be better for their birds."

For a moment I was still, thinking about how soon I'd lose my feline companion. A small lump formed in my throat, but I swallowed it away impatiently. It was better for Mr. Giggles-despite being completely spoiled by his reluctant caretakers, he hated it here. I was the only person in the house he could tolerate. He didn't even like Bella, but that was probably because she didn't seem too fond of him, either. Scratching him under the chin, I looked up at Esme. "That's good. He'll be happier at home. It's for the best."

Esme looked sad for me, but she nodded. "Mrs. Haversham also asked about you. She's been very worried."

"She's not the only one." I jumped as Carlisle's voice sounded next to me. I hadn't even heard him come into the kitchen. "Mrs. Haversham was not discreet about her encounter with you the other day. The whole town knows you're here. I had to come up with a convincing cover story. "

He looked at me carefully. "Everyone believes that your family was killed in a car accident a little over a month ago. I told them that you'd been sent to live with some of your mother's relatives, but you were unhappy and ran away, and now I'm taking over your guardianship. I think all of Forks is heartbroken on your behalf. You should see what people have sent over to the hospital for me to take home to you...you have a very large collection of stuffed animals, not to mention the flowers and candy. I'll have to try to get it all in the car tonight."

I tried to push away the pain that ripped through me at the mention of my family, forcing myself to concentrate only on the rest of his sentence. "That's um...really nice of them." I mumbled.

There was an awkward silence for a moment, then Esme broke it. "Elisa, please sit back down and at least finish your juice." She urged me, her eyes anxious. Obediently I went back to the counter and forced myself to sip at the tall glass of orange juice she offered me. As I drank, Esme and Carlisle disappeared back into the next room, probably to talk about me where I couldn't overhear. I sighed.

My feet kicked the stool lightly as I swung them back and forth, anxious for another distraction. Alice and Bella were upstairs, going over last minutes details for the bridemaids' gowns, but Alice had promised she'd bring down the invitations for me to begin addressing soon. It was the perfect job for me, mindless, repetitive and not too demanding...it should be easy to lose myself in the work and daydreams of Edward and Bella's wedding day. I hoped there was a lot of them for me to do.

My attention was suddenly caught by a strange sound...the noise of a low growl just outside the kitchen doorway. I jumped, looking for the source, but the sound was too playful for me to be very frightened. "Emmett?" I looked around, but the doorway was empty.

The growl sounded again and then suddenly a giant, brown stuffed bear filled the doorway, Emmett holding it so that the top half obscured his face and chest. "Remember me, Elisa?" He spoke in a laughing snarl. "I've come to finish what I started back in the forest!"

Unable to help myself, I began to giggle. The sound felt strange, almost blasphemous, but I laughed anyway as Emmett lowered the bear to reveal his large grin. "So do you like it?" He asked as he entered the room and offered the bear to me.

"I love it!" I announced, hugging the bear to my chest.

To my surprise, Rosalie was right behind Emmett, following him into the room. He turned to her, still smiling. "See, angel? I told you she wouldn't be scared. This kid is tougher than she looks."

Hesitantly I looked at Rosalie, and the look on her face surprised me. I thought I'd see her usually chilly expression, perhaps even anger or hostility, but instead she was looking at me apprehensively, almost nervously, as if she expected me to lash out at her in some way. Bewildered, I gave her a small smile, and for a moment she looked stunned before her face went impassive once more.

"Good morning, Elisa." Her voice was careful.

"Good morning, Rosalie." My response was just as cautious.

The awkward silence didn't last for long. Several sets of footprints sounded, and Bella and Edward came into the kitchen, followed closely by Alice and Jasper.

"Here you go!" Alice announced as I looked at her hopefully. She handed me a small box filled to the brim with invitations, a roll of stamps, and a computer print out. "The invitations and the name and address list. Feel free to make yourself useful."

I beamed at her as I carried my bounty from the kitchen counter to the dining room table, where I could spread out a bit. "Thanks, Alice! Do you have a-" My words were cut off as Edward handed me a shiny, ball point pen. Mind readers...could they never let a person finish a sentence?

"Thank you." I said and he smiled at me.

"Are you sure you want to get into the middle of this, Elisa? Alice wasn't kidding when she said there was a lot to do...she'll run you ragged if you let her."

That was exactly what I wanted. Anything to keep my mind busy enough to not go over and over all the agonizing memories that pierced my soul. I knew thinking this was enough of an answer for him, and I didn't reply. He nodded his head just a tiny bit, to let me know he understood.

Everyone had followed the three of us into the dining room, and they gathered around as I opened the box of invitations, then carefully spread out the address sheet, prepared to get right to work. I looked up at Bella and smiled at her as I uncapped the pen. "I'm sorry about my temper tantrum last night." I told her as she watched me begin to write. "I didn't mean to get so upset, but I am really glad you and Edward didn't have to postpone the wedding again. You've waited so long already."

Bella's answering smile faded into a look of confusion. "Again? What do you mean?"

I shrugged as I double checked the spelling of the name on the first invitation. "You know...I thought you would have been married and off in Alaska or wherever by now. What happened to put it off for so long, anyway?" I remembered something that Mrs. Haversham had said on the day that I'd...I cut myself off before I could think the word. The day that I had come back to Forks, I amended to myself, and then looked up at Bella and Edward with wide eyes. "It's June again? You had to wait a whole year? Why?"

Everyone was staring at me with familiar, bewildered expressions on their face, and I started to tense. What had I said now?

"Elisa..." Edward stared at me. "What in the world makes you think a year has passed since you've seen us?"

He could hear the answer in my thoughts before I spoke, and his eyes widened. "I don't believe it." He stared at me, his eyes taking every inch of me in like he'd never seen me before, and they got even wider. "I truly don't believe it."

"What?" Several voices demanded at once.

Edward turned to face the rest of the group. "Look at her." He demanded. "Really look. I should have noticed before, but with everything else..." He gazed at me again and then turned back. "She's older. The change in height is small, but it's there. Her hair is longer...her body is different. Time has passed for her...far more time than has passed for us."

I dropped my pen as I stared back at him. "What are you talking about? Time has passed...it's been months!" I looked at their stunned expressions and gasped. "It hasn't? How long has it been for you since I was here?" I demanded.

Bella shook her head. "Elisa, it hasn't been months. You were here...what, a week ago?" She looked at Edward for confirmation

"Eleven days today." He corrected. Behind him, Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper, and Alice all nodded, still staring at me.

I stared back as the pen fell from my lifeless fingers and rolled on the table. What was going on? Just when I was starting to feel the slightest bit at ease, everything got weird again. Why did this keep happening?

"How long has it been for you, Elisa?" Carlisle asked, and I jumped a mile again at his presence. I hadn't noticed that he and Esme were there.

I moistened my lips before I answered. "About six months." My voice was suddenly hoarse. "Everything's different then it was last time I was here. It's September back home. I recovered from my car accident, I'm a sophomore now, Colby turned twelve... My dad and I worked things out, I have new friends, I..." I couldn't continue. I stared back down at the tabletop.

"I'd wondered about your accident." Carlisle mused. "I had assumed you weren't hurt as badly as we feared...that you'd just suffered a period of unconciousness. I take it that wasn't the case."

I shook my head, and then detailed my multiple injuries, and the months that it took to recover from them. "It was horrible." I finished. "But better than being dead." My voice was bitter now and I felt ashamed of it. "Sorry." I mumbled sheepishly.

Carlisle shook his head. "You have nothing to apologize for, Elisa."

Esme was staring at him, along with everyone else. "Carlisle, what does this all mean?"

Carlisle shook his head, looking perturbed. "Again, I don't know. Why Elisa's here, why there is so much difference in the passage of time, all of it is a mystery to me." He sighed. "I can theorize all day...perhaps time simply moves differently in her reality. Perhaps she's here at this point because this is the time she wanted to come back to. I just don't know...I don't think we'll ever have the answers."

I wasn't paying attention any longer. I didn't want to think about it any more. Carlisle was right...we'd never know for sure. I was already close enough to crazy without letting all the unanswered questions swirl around in my head unchecked. I pulled the box of invitations back towards me, deliberately shutting out anything else as I began to write once more. I could feel several pairs of eyes watching me, gauging my reactions, but I ignored them.

Seeming to accept my clear dismissal, the room began to clear as one by one or two by two, they left. Emmett and Esme both patted my head before they walked out. I appreciated the kind gesture, but I was beginning to feel like someone's pet dog. The weight of their pity pressed in on me, and I hated it. Plus it made me feel guilty...none of this was their problem, and now they were stuck with me and all my weirdness.

I tried to force it all out of my mind, but unbidden, it crept back to the conversation I'd just had, and then before that, to my last trip to Forks and my accident. Would it have hurt less if I'd simply never woken up? If I'd never answered my parents' pleas, if I hadn't gone home? If I had known then what I knew now, that I only had months left to live regardless, would I have chosen differently when Esme asked me to stay?

The answer was immediate, springing to mind before I'd even finished forming the question. I would have gone back. There was no doubt...I would not trade the last six months I'd had with my family for any treasure in the universe. The thought that I could have missed a moment of it, that I would never have had that final perfect day with my father, made me dizzy. I couldn't have left things the way they were. It would have made everything so much worse; there would have been so many regrets, so much left unsaid.

Still, it was horrible enough as it was. I tried not to think about it, but the images would not stop coming. How had they felt, my parents, when I didn't come home on time? Had they been worried or had they chalked it up to a return of my typical irresponsibility? And when the knock at the door came, when they saw the police there, how had they taken the news? I closed my eyes, seeing my mother fall to the floor, hearing her screams, the high-pitched sobs of my brother and the hoarser ones of my father. What had I done to them? We were supposed to be on vacation right now, celebrating the new life in our family, and instead, they must be planning my funeral.

And Nancy...had Nancy lived, or had Scott turned the gun on her next? If she survived, did she blame herself? I wanted so badly to tell her it wasn't her fault. She hadn't done anything wrong...all she'd wanted was to protect her daughter. She had tried to protect me as well. If I had just stayed hidden, I would still be alive.

And my friends, how had they taken the news? Were Michelle and Rae sorry that things had been so tense between us? I didn't want their regret either. Ever since my accident, we'd drifted apart, but we'd been friends since the sixth grade. I wanted them to remember the good times...there had been so many of them, all night gossip sessions, whispering about boys, shopping together, movies, dances... that's what I would hold on to, not the silly jealousy and pettiness that came later.

And what of everyone else? There were so many people my death would affect... I could see some of them so clearly, Mark and Vanessa, arms entwined around each other's black clad waists, tears mingling together as they watched my coffin being lowered into the ground. I'd probably be Vanessa's new cause now...I could see her making posters and t-shirts emblazoned with my face, so she could show people what a person who got caught in the crossfire looked like. She would not allow me to be forgotten. The thought was strangely comforting. Vanessa would make sure I hadn't died in vain...through her, maybe my death would save someone else.

Still, it wasn't enough...it would never be enough. The bitterness was back, the sheer unfairness of it all filling my chest and throat, suffocating me. I could feel the dampness on my face now as the tears slid out from under my closed eyelids, and I hurriedly pushed the invitations away before I could splot and ruin them. Impatiently, I wiped my eyes, forcing myself to take deep breaths, until I was positive I had myself under control. Then I pulled the invitations back towards me. I would think of nothing but each letter that I was writing, making sure each i was dotted, each e neatly written, every stroke perfection. As long as I had this, as long as there was one perfect, magical day in the future to look forward to, one day where goodness and love would win out over evil and justice, then there was hope. I would be able to believe in miracles once more...I would survive.

And with that thought fixed in my mind, I lowered my head and began to write once more.

Bella:

Edward had been very quiet since he'd escorted me out of the kitchen and outside, back to the covered patio where we'd been the day that Elisa had returned to us so unexpectedly. It was still unseasonably cold, but for once the sun was shining here and there, lighting up the ground in patches and providing a tiny bit of warmth where it landed. I inhaled, enjoying the fresh smells of the grass and trees. For the moment I was content to just lean against him, enjoying the quiet, no interruptions, no decisions to make, just the two of us, together. The way I wanted it to be, always.

Edward sighed, his hands tangling themselves in my hair, and I wondered suddenly if he was still upset about the other night. He'd tried to hide it, but when I'd asked him to give me some time to myself after the argument with Rosalie, it had hurt him. Our time together later on had been full of awkward silences and unasked questions. I knew he thought I was having doubts about our future, about my decision, about whether turning me immortal was the right thing to do. He was both right, and wrong. The wedding...well, that was always going to be a difficult one for me. I couldn't quite explain why myself-I knew my prejudice was silly, that it was such a little thing in comparison to everything else, but still, the concept was un-nerving.

But what was coming after, the end of my mortal life, and the beginning of my immortal one, about that, I had no doubts. Edward would not believe that...he had doubts enough himself about what he thought he was doing to me. He would not be able to understand the certainty of my choice, that I really had considered all the options, all the consequences, and that I understood what I was giving up. What he didn't understand most of all was what I was getting in return. Him...forever. Did he not realize what that meant to me, how much he fulfilled me?

What was bothering me though, more than the wedding, more than Edward's doubts, more than the fear of what my decision would cost the people I loved and had to leave behind, was what all that said about me. Rosalie's words to me the other night had only brought out the fears I had quashed deep down. From the minute I'd set eyes on Edward, I'd never wanted anything else, to the exclusion of my friends, my family, my hopes, and dreams. He trumped it all-he was the stars, and moon in my world, and I would give up anything, walk over anyone, make any decision, in order to keep it that way. Jacob was proof of that. Even Edward was being hurt by my decisions...I was forcing him to do something that he believed so strongly was wrong. What kind of person was I, really?

Next to me, Edward winced slightly, and I turned to him, alarmed. For the teensiest fraction of a second I worried that he had guessed my thoughts as I saw the pain on his face, and guilt seized my heart.

"Edward, what is it?"

Edward shook his head slightly, then smiled down at me, the pain easing. "It's alright, Bella. It's just..." he sighed. "...Elisa."

"Oh." I said, realizing that he had been listening to her thoughts. Whatever she was thinking, it had to have been pretty awful for him to look like that. "I feel so badly for her...maybe you should send Jasper to her."

Edward shook his head. "No. There's no way around the pain...she can't skip this part. She has to go through it. I'm monitoring her - if it gets too bad, I'll know." he exhaled again, and I watched the shadows under his eyes darken. It made me realize, more than ever, what a burden his 'gift' was. Elisa would suffer the loss of her family and her life, and Edward, because he couldn't close his mind, and Jasper, who couldn't close his heart, would suffer right along with her. It was too much...I didn't know how they could handle it. I wondered if I could ever be that strong, and then hoped, selfishly, that I would never have to find out. My own pain was enough to shoulder - how could I ever deal with someone else's?

"There you are." We both turned as the glass door slid open behind, then Emmett and Rosalie were there. For a minute, there was silence as the four of us surveyed each other. Rosalie and I hadn't spoken since the confrontation - was she here now to hurl a few more painful truths my way?

"Go on, Rosalie." Emmett urged her after a moment. I wondered if he was forcing her to speak to us.

Rosalie sighed and then lifted her head to look at me. "I wanted to say something about the other night, Bella." She was quiet as I froze, then continued. "I won't apologize for what I said, or take it back. I meant it - every word. What I will apologize for is how I said it. I should not have unloaded on you like that...I could have found a better way and time."

"It's alright, Rosalie, really. You don't have to apologize for anything." I told her, glad my voice didn't shake as I spoke. Next to me, Edward's fingers curled, then tightened, around mine.

Rosalie shrugged, her expression cooling. "However you feel about me, Bella, I hope you think about everything I've told you. Once the deed is done, it's done. Don't come crying to me afterwards once you've realized I was right all along."

Edward growled, low in his throat, and I looked at him in alarm. "Edward, don't."

He ignored me, stepping forward to glower at his sister. "Some apology. You and me are long overdue for a serious conversation."

Rosalie glared right back at him fiercely, and then she was bumped out of the way as Emmett stepped between them. His face was smooth, but his voice was tense, warning, as he spoke. "Back up off my girl, Edward."

"I will...once she learns to keep her mouth shut about matters that are none of her concern." Edward snarled back.

Emmett's eyes flared and he grabbed Edward, pulling him forward as the angry noises from both of them intensified. "Stop!" I cried, trying to step in between them, but suddenly Alice and Jasper were there. I felt the soothing vibes wash over all of us, but it wasn't fast enough for Alice. Her arms were a blur as they shot out, and suddenly Edward and Emmett were thrown apart, both of them bouncing back several feet.

"We don't have time for this!" Her voice was furious. "Emmett, Rosalie is more than capable of taking care of herself. Edward, you can't protect Bella from everything. If you two are so anxious for a good fight, step right up. I'll kick the urge out of both of you!"

For a moment, Edward and Emmett glared at each other, and Alice, from across the patio, then Emmett relaxed first, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Simmer down, Alice. I've had my ass beat by women enough since I've joined this family. My male pride can't take much more." He looked at Edward and his lips quirked. "I suppose we should let the ladies work this one out for themselves, right, brother?"

I could tell by the tense set of Edward's jaw as he looked at Rosalie that he had no intention of staying out of this one, but he nodded anyway. "Whatever you say, Emmett." He held out his hand. "Sorry I lost it for a moment there."

Emmett slapped his palm jovially, never one to hold a grudge. "Makes life fun, a little tension now and then." He looked at Jasper and Alice. "What's up with you two?"

Jasper looked back and forth between all of us, as if making sure he had our full attention. "We need to talk about Elisa. About what we're going to do with her."

I frowned, confused. "Esme said she was staying."

Jasper sighed. "We all know that's what Esme wants. But is it really what's best?"

I shook my head. "I don't understand."

Edward's cool fingers touched my face and I looked at him. His eyes were wary as he looked back at me. "Bella, Elisa would be better off with a human family, people that can give her a normal life. As long as she's with us, she's in danger. Accidents happen - no one should know that better than you."

My eyes began to fill with angry tears. "That was then. All of you were able to become accustomed to be around me...there hasn't been a slip like that in a long, long time. You can do the same for Elisa."

Jasper looked almost angry now. "One mistake is one too many, Bella. You're different. Elisa is too much of a risk for us to take."

"How can you say that?" Emmett's voice was back to angry now. "Where exactly do you expect her to go? She doesn't have anyone else!"

Jasper looked at him coldly. "There are organizations set up to take care of this kind of situation. Social Services, foster homes..."

"They'll ask too many questions." Rosalie spoke now. "How would we ever explain where she came from?"

Jasper shrugged, his eyes still cold. "We don't. We won't be here to ask." He looked back at me and Edward. "We're leaving anyway...we all know our time in Forks is up. It will just be a little sooner. I know this will mess things up for you two, but you can get married anywhere. The sooner we deal with this problem, the better."

"You make me sick." Emmett spat in disgust. "After all she's been through, you want to dump her on strangers and run. Can you imagine what that would do to her, being forced on peoople she doesn't know and passed from home to home?"

"Do you think I like this?" Jasper's voice was rising now, the sound of it hurting my ears. "I'm not as indifferent as you believe, Emmett! I feel everything that girl is feeling, and it is pure misery. I know how much it will hurt her, but at least she'll be alive and safe. She'll have a chance at a future."

"Her future is with us!" Emmett barked back.

"Alice..." I turned to her. "You're not going to go along with this, are you? Emmett's right...Elisa's been through too much already. This would kill her!"

Alice looked miserably sad at my words, but she didn't reply. She just shook her head, her eyes downcast.

I looked at Edward now, my eyes pleading. "Edward, we owe her. Please."

Edward looked like he was hurting all over again. "You're right, Bella. We do owe her. We owe her better than this. If it was just us that was the obstacle, that would be something we could overcome. But it's not. There's the Volturi to consider. They made a big exception in your situation. They will not do so again. If they discover her with us, that she knows our secrets, they'll kill her without a moment's hesitation. And then there's..." He broke off suddenly, his eyes haunted.

"What?" I demanded. "What were you going to say?"

Edward closed his eyes for a moment, then forced the words past his lips. "There's you, Bella."

"Me?" I asked, my voice sharp. "What about me?"

Edward looked like he couldn't believe I was forcing him to say it out loud. The worry was in his eyes, fear of the impact his words would have on me. "In less than two months, Bella, you will be a ravenous, insatiable newborn. Elisa can't be anywhere near you. If she stays..." He let the words trail off but I understood now what he meant. If Elisa stayed, we couldn't. There would be no greater danger to her fragile life than me.

"Well, that does make a difference, doesn't it?" The disgust was in my voice now, the anger at myself rising and boiling over. "Beautiful...just beautiful. Because of me, Elisa will have to lose another family. I can't believe you ever feared that you would make me into a monster, Edward. I already am one." I looked away to hide my burning eyes.

Edward flinched, his arms going around me. "Don't you ever say that, Bella."

"Don't placate me, Edward!" I shook off his arm angrily and he looked at me with wounded eyes. "Stop pretending I'm so much better than I am! You can't keep me up on a pedestal the way you want to. If you keep trying, I have to wonder if you really know the person you're so eager to shackle yourself to for all of eternity!"

The anguish streaked across Edward's face at my words, and immediately, I felt sick, wishing I could take them back. "I'm sorry." I whispered as I went to him, putting my arms around his waist and my head against his stony chest. "I just...I can't believe Elisa can't stay because of me. It's so wrong."

"There has to be another way." Emmett spoke up again, a muscle twitching near his jaw. "We've got to figure something out. We can't abandon her like this."

My head jerked up and I looked at him. "What if -" I stopped immediately. I could not say the words that had sprang, unbidden, to my lips. But everyone was looking at me curiously now, waiting for me to continue. I warned myself to stay silent regardless, but my heedless mouth was already open, speaking against my will.

"What if she wants to be a vampire too?"

Edward froze immediately. "No." His voice was flat, absolute. "It will never happen."

"She's too young." Alice agreed.

Jasper nodded his head. "It's impossible." He said quietly.

Across the patio, Rosalie was glaring at me furiously now, looking angrier with me than I'd ever seen her look before, and automatically I took a step back, not wanting to look into her ferocious eyes any longer.

"You're right." I whispered. "She is too young." I pictured Elisa in my mind. Fifteen was young enough, but between her small stature and delicate features, she didn't even look that old. If she were changed now, she'd be almost as cursed as Alec and Jane, forced to wander around in a near child's form forever. Oh, she'd be exquisite, I had no doubt about that, with her sweet face and flowing blonde hair, like a tiny fairy princess come to life. But she'd never be able to pass for more than sixteen at the most, and that would be with a big stretch of the imagination. Unless we pretended she was a child prodigy, she wouldn't even be able to go to college. The Cullens would have to move far more often, to keep anyone from growing suspicious. What kind of life would that be for her?

And yet, the stubborn idea would not leave my mind. "What if that's what she'd prefer?" The traitorous words kept coming. "Instead of being cast off on strangers, alone and friendless in a whole new world, what if she were willing to pay that price in order to stay? Shouldn't she have the choice?"

"No!" Rosalie's cry trumped everyone else. She staggered towards me, her beautiful face livid. Emmett restrained her before she reached me, but her angry words poured out regardless. "What is wrong with you that you would even think such a thing? It's bad enough that you want to throw your own life away, now you want to encourage Elisa to die again to make it more convenient for you to have everything you ever wanted? It is out of the question!"

I could tell by the dark disapproval in Edward's face as he looked at me that he agreed with Rosalie for once, but nevertheless, he turned to her, his own eyes sparking. "As I recall, Rosalie, the last time Elisa was here you weren't so concerned with her mortality. In fact, you were ready to snap her neck and dump her body in the woods because it was more convenient for us." His voice was harsh as he threw her own words back at her. "At least Bella wants her to have some kind of a life."

His voice quieted and he turned to me. "Bella, you know we can't do that to Elisa. I don't have to explain to you why. Even if she wanted it, even if she begged, she is far too young to make that kind of decision. You may understand the consequences, but your maturity level and hers are light years apart. Don't put that idea into her head...you'll be starting something you can't ever take back."

Defeated, I nodded. "You're right. I know you are. I'm so sorry I even said it. It's just that she's lost so much..." I couldn't finish my sentence as the guilt rose up to choke me once more. "It's going to be so hard to let her go."

"I can't listen to this any more." Emmett straightened up, scowling. Like Rosalie, he looked angrier than I'd ever seen him before, but for far different reasons, I was sure. "I'm not afraid of the Volturi! If they want a fight we could give them one. And we can make arrangements for Bella to be far away for a few years. The fact that none of you want to consider the options, that you all just want to take the easy way out... I won't be a part of this. I've never been so disappointed in any of you. Ever." With that, he turned, and was gone, just a streak of motion headed towards the forest. Rosalie gave me a final scathing look and then she was gone too, dashing after him.

"Well." Edward broke the tense silence after a moment. "I'd never thought I'd see the day that Emmett would be at a human's mercy, but I have to say, Elisa's got him firmly wrapped around her small, mortal finger. He's very attached to her."

My arms tightened around my chest. "You're not making this any easier." I grumbled, turning away. "Now I have to feel guilty about hurting Emmett too?"

"Bella, none of this is your fault." Edward's voice was low, but fierce. "Don't do this to yourself, I'm begging you."

I opened my mouth to respond but suddenly Alice gasped, the sound alarming on the now quiet patio. Instantly, Jasper was at her side, and Edward was staring at her anxiously.

"Oh, perfect!" Alice's face was wrinkled in disgust now. "Just what we needed..." She turned her head and inhaled, and her perfect features grew even more irritated. At the same time, Edward and Jasper's head turned in the same direction, and they also breathed in, their faces mirroring the disgust on hers.

"What is it?" I asked. I was getting so tired of being the last one to know anything. "What's going on - what did she see?"

Edward looked down at me, and his expression was suddenly inscrutable. "She didn't see anything. She's gone blind."

"Why?" I demanded, my heart both sinking and rising, already knowing the reason.

"Because, Bella..." Edward looked again at the forest and sighed. "The werewolves are here."

Edward:

As the four of us made our way purposefully through the house towards the main room, there was a rush of motion and suddenly Rosalie and Emmett were on either side of us.

"We saw them too, in the forest." Emmett told me gruffly, his face even more tense than before. "The whole pack is out in force. They came right up behind us on their way to border the house. This is way over the line. It violates the treaty. What the hell do they think they're doing, declaring war?" He cracked his knuckles menacingly.

"No." I said as my head inclined towards the front door, listening to the thoughts I could hear just outside of it. "They think we're the ones breaking the treaty. They're here to put a stop to it."

"What are you talking about?" Bella's eyes were wide and I knew what she was thinking.

Carlisle and Esme were joining us now. Carlisle's eyes met mine, then turned to Bella. He didn't need to be able to read my mind to know what I was referring to.

"They haven't come because of you, Bella." He told her quietly. "It's Elisa. We knew this was a possibility when word got out that she was here."

Understanding dawned on Bella's face. "They think she's in danger...from all of you."

Carlisle nodded. "We just have to stay calm, and talk this out with them. As long as no one loses their head, there is no reason this should go any further." He shot a warning look at Rosalie and Emmett, then turned back at me. "Is Sam going to speak for them?"

"Yes." I nodded. "He's coming now. The other wolves will stay back, in the forest. They're waiting for the signal to fight or disperse. And - " My eyes widened. This was unexpected. "He's not coming in alone."

"Who -" Bella didn't get a chance to finish her sentence as the doorbell rang. Esme turned and moved like lightning towards the back of the house. I knew she was heading to the dining room, to find Elisa and tell her of our guests, and to protect her if necessary. As Carlisle moved towards the front door, Bella stared at me with wide eyes. I knew what she was thinking without having to ask - that Jacob would be the one to come through the door with Sam. If I were to tell her she was wrong, would she be relieved...or disappointed?

"Welcome, Sam." Carlisle's voice was calm, as always, as he opened the door. "And Emily...I must say this is a surprise, but a pleasure. Please, come in." His manners were as polite as if this were a completely ordinary social call.

Sam and Emily exchanged wary looks, then they followed Carlisle down the hallway, reluctance and apprehension in every step. As Sam kept a protective arm around his fiancee, I noted the rigid tension in his frame. The tremors were there...barely visible, as Sam was a master of keeping himself under control, but it was a thin line between man and wolf as he found himself in the lion's den, every instinct screaming at him to fight, to protect the woman he loved from his enemy...us.

"You know why we're here." Sam's voice was blunt, not bothering with the niceties. "The news is all over town. You have another mortal here." His face was cold with anger. "We both know she's not your niece, so let's not play games. What have you done with her?"

"Hello Sam, Emily." I stepped forward to emulate Carlisle's polite greeting, ignoring Sam's hostile opening. "I must admit we expected to be hearing from you soon, Sam, but Emily...I never thought you'd bring her here."

Emily gave me a dark look, but her voice was careful as she spoke. "I made him bring me. We heard that the poor girl lost her family. I thought...well, some things need to be handled with a little bit more...sensitivity." She gave Sam a small, apologetic smile, but her ravaged face was determined. Sam was definitely unhappy to have her in what he considered was such a vulnerable position, but he'd been helpless to do anything but concede to her demands. I couldn't help but smile inside...in some ways we were very much alike. We both had superior strength and power beyond measure, but one well-chosen word from the supposedly weak human women we loved could bring us to our knees, every single time.

"Of course, the story about her family could be a complete lie." Sam said now. "Just a way to cover up your real intentions for her. I'm going to ask you again - what have you done with her?"

"Elisa has not been harmed in any way." Carlisle held up his hand at the angry hisses from Emmett and Rosalie, warning them to stay calm and quiet. "And although you are quite correct about her not being my niece, as you well know, the story about her family is true. They're gone. Elisa has no one else. That is why we've taken her in."

Sam scoffed loudly. "Generous of you. What is this, the beginning of some vampire orphanage for humans? Exactly how stupid do you think we are, Cullen? We have been more than patient with you. We have fought at your side, we have trusted you in ways unfathomable to our ancestors. We have even chosen to look the other way regarding your plans for Bella Swan, on behalf of Jacob and Charlie. We will not allow you to have another human. You have tested the limits of our tolerance for the last time!" He glared at Carlisle, and I stepped forward now to stand next to my father.

"There are extenuating circumstances of which you are not aware, Sam. I know you are not interested in the details. The important thing, for both of us, should be Elisa's well-being, and I will repeat that she has not been harmed in any way, nor will she be." Carlisle's voice was still unruffled, but the wariness was there now as he waited for Sam's response.

"We'd like to see that for ourselves, if you don't mind." Sam's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Where is she?"

The tension in the room was thick. Alice and Jasper stood back, keeping Bella between them, with Rosalie and Emmett nearby. At Sam's question, Emmett growled angrily, low in his chest, and I shot him a warning glance. If he lost it now, the fragile peace would be irrepairably broken. As it was, we were walking the tightrope already.

Carlisle paused for just a moment, then turned towards the back of the house. "Esme, bring Elisa, if you would."

A few seconds later, quiet footsteps sounded, and Esme appeared, her face reluctant. By her side, Elisa watched our visitors as she came forward, her face both cautious and curious. I immediately ascertained from her thoughts that she knew exactly who - and what - Sam was, and who Emily was as well, and it wasn't because of what Esme had told her. It was just another example of her shocking, deeply disconcerting, well of knowledge about us.

Carlisle went to escort Elisa the rest of the way into the room, and brought her to stand before Sam and Emily. "Sam, Emily, this is Elisa. Elisa, Sam and Emily have come to check on you." His voice encouraged her, and she moved forward, extending her hand politely. Sam pressed it quickly, then dropped it, his eyes touring over her carefully. Emily was more forward. She clutched Elisa's hand in both of her own. "I'm so glad to meet you, sweetheart." Her twisted mouth formed a smile. "We've heard about your loss...I am so sorry."

Elisa flinched slightly, but she forced herself to smile back at Emily. "Thank you." Her voice was quiet.

Carlisle turned back towards Sam and Emily. "As you can see, she's in perfect health...and completely human. She will remain that way. I hope this addresses your concerns." His manner was still flawless, but his voice hinted at a dismissal, and I tensed, knowing that this was the defining moment, the time when Sam would decide whether this battle was worth fighting.

"Not so fast." Sam's words were a near growl. "Just because she's fine now doesn't mean she won't turn up dead later...or worse. What guarantee do we have that you will not harm her? She can't be your next meal, nor will we allow you to turn her head with dreams of being young and strong forever. We can't accept this...the girl cannot stay here."

"Excuse me!" Elisa's indignant voice spoke up before anyone else could, and I braced myself for what she might say. " 'The girl' is standing right here, and as much as I enjoy being talked about like I'm not in the room, I'd like to have a say in this. First of all, the Cullens would never, ever hurt me. I've been here for days. They could have killed me a million times over by now and headed to Siberia without you ever knowing what happened if that's what they wanted. As for turning my head, not only have they not offered to bite me, but I don't even want to be a vampire!"

Startled, my head whipped towards her voluntarily, and it was not the only one. Nearly everyone in the room was staring in surprise. Rosalie and Bella's faces were the most shocked, Rosalie staring at Elisa so hard that her eyes seemed to burn right through her, and Bella first looking at the two of them, and then me, gauging my face warily.

Seeing our reactions, Elisa flushed, looking over at us. "Um...it's not like I think being a vampire is a bad thing." Her voice was pacifying. "It's just that...well..." She didn't finish, blushing more fiercely now.

"It is a bad thing." Sam spat, glaring at her as if she was being purposefully obtuse.

Emily shot him a warning look, then stepped forward. "Elisa, we're very relieved to know that you are alright and that you don't have intentions of..." she hesitated. "...changing that. But you don't really understand what you're doing. The Cullens may not want to hurt you, but it's their nature. You are in danger here, and we can't leave you in this situation. Staying is not an option for you."

Elisa stared at Emily with wide eyes for a moment. "But..." Her voice was hollow now. "I don't have anywhere else to go."

Emily and Sam were quiet for a moment, exchanging a long look as I listened to the nearly identical internal debate each of them was having, then Emily turned back. "If that's the case, then come home with us, Elisa."

"You can't be serious." It was Esme that spoke now, stepping forward. Her face showed rare signs of anger. "Elisa is perfectly safe here, despite what you may want to believe. She's not going anywhere."

Sam looked back at her coldly. "We want to speak to Elisa alone." It wasn't a request, it was a demand, and behind me, Emmett and Rosalie hissed again, angered at his tone.

Carlisle looked at them, his unbreakable patience showing signs of wear for once. They quieted immediately at his warning glance, and he turned back to Emily and Sam. For a moment he was quiet, considering, then he nodded. "I don't have a problem with that." He looked at Elisa. "We will be in the kitchen if you need us." His voice was reassuring.

Elisa clearly did not want to be left alone with the stiff, unapproachable Sam, even if Emily's presence did lighten the mood a bit, but she nodded anyway, watching us file, one by one, down the hallway.

As soon as we entered the dining room, Esme whirled on Carlisle. "Why did you leave her alone with them? Why didn't you just tell them no and send them on their way? You can't possibly be considering letting them take her!"

It was hard to hear the emotion underneath the anger in her tone. Elisa had brought all of Esme's strong maternal instincts to a raging boil. The young girl represented, far more than we, her invincible, immortal children ever could, something that Esme would never have the chance to experience again - motherhood. The chance to raise a human child, to watch her grow, and change. Esme would never have another opportunity like this, and she knew it. I hated the inevitability of her pain.

Carlisle paused before he spoke. "Let's all sit down and discuss this." he indicated the table before us. With a final flare of her eyes, Esme went to her seat, as we all did, Bella sitting down at my side as I reached for her hand.

As soon as everyone was seated, Jasper took advantage of the opportunity. "Esme, I know you don't want Elisa to go, but the werewolves have given us a perfect solution. They are not strangers to Elisa...she knows of them, at the very least. She'll be safe with them. It's better for her...it's better for everyone."

Esme and Emmett both began to object strenuously, but Carlisle held up his hand. "Esme, we know how you feel." His voice was gentle, and he reached for her hand, taking it in his, the long fingers stroking her skin gently. "Emmett, you will all have a chance to speak. Let's keep this as civilized as possible." He turned to Alice, who was seated on his other side. "Alice, what is your opinion?"

Alice shook her head. "I don't know." she whispered finally. "It makes sense. It would be easier if she left. But..." she didn't finish her sentence.

"It should be Elisa's choice!" Bella burst out. "What if she doesn't want to go to La Push? When she was the most vulnerable, she came here. How can we turn her away now?" Her eyes met mine. "I'm sorry, Edward, I know how you feel, but I don't agree. There has to be a way to work this out."

"We've been over this!" Jasper burst out, staring at her hard. "We have to keep our secrets, Bella. Can Elisa do that? What if she let something slip? That's just one of the problems. There's the fact that she smells entirely too much like dinnertime. The inevitable return of the Volturi to deal with. We don't need their wrath coming down on our heads. And then there's you, and what you will be soon. You want to become one of us - well, there are certain things that you will have to sacrifice in order to do that. Fostering vulnerable humans is one of them."

Bella winced, but held her ground. "If I am the biggest obstacle, then that can be remedied." She looked back at me. "We'll leave, Edward. When it's time for me to be changed, we'll go far, far away from Elisa and we won't come back until we can be certain that I can control myself around her. I don't care how long it takes. I just can't do this to her...I can't take another family away from her. Please, please understand."

I turned for a moment, staring out the window towards the forest. Distantly, invisible to human eyes, I could see the dark shapes moving restlessly, waiting for a sign to tell them what to do next. Jacob was there, thinking of Bella though he struggled not to, and my own thoughts weren't about Elisa now - they were with Bella too, and the memories, all too recent and painful, of how I'd nearly lost her to the werewolves. To him. And Bella thought she was selfish...if I had the strength, I'd give her up, I'd tell her to go to him, let him love her, protect her, give her children, give her life instead of the death that I represented. And yet, I never would make that sacrifice again. Not if she didn't want me to, maybe not even if she did.

Knowing that, knowing that I was keeping her with me despite all the odds, all the danger and loss it represented, and yet I was ready to tell Elisa to go, tell her that she wasn't allowed anything resembling a choice, made me feel every bit of my hypocrisy. I closed my eyes for a moment, then opened them.

"I suppose that..." I paused, looking at Bella again, and it gave strength and conviction to my words. "...if Elisa wants to stay, even given the other options, perhaps we should give her the choice. It will be difficult - there will be some hard decisions ahead, but I can't seem to turn her away either. Not after everything else - not after she was sent back to us. Who's to say it wasn't for a reason, that there isn't some grander scheme behind it all?"

Bella glowed as she registered my words, and that was reward enough for me to bury my doubts once and for all.

"There is something else to consider." Carlisle's voice broke into the low rumble that had begun in response to my words. "We must consider the fact that perhaps the werewolves are not equipped to handle her." He looked around the room at the surprised expressions on almost every face, then continued. "There is so much we don't know about Elisa, how and why she got here, how she was able to manifest herself here so many times before... I don't pretend to know the answers. It could have been some higher power, an accident, fate...who knows? But what if it isn't? What if it's her? And if she has that kind of ability, she doesn't know it, and she certainly can't control it. We are in the best position to help her, to keep her from being a danger to herself and others. We must consider that."

There was silence as we absorbed his words, then Emmett spoke.

"Well, you all know she had me at hello." Emmett grinned as he repeated the popular movie line. "I don't care where she came from, or how she got here. I certainly don't give a damn how the Volturi or the werewolves feel about it, I don't care if she's human, or one of us, or Supergirl in disguise. I think she should stay. At the very least, she should have the choice."

Beside him, Rosalie sighed, then turned to Carlisle. "So how do we decide? What do we do now?"

Carlisle exhaled, looking around the table. "It's simple. We vote."

Jasper made an angry noise, ready to object, but Alice put a soothing hand on his arm. "We make these decisions together, Jasper." Her voice was gentle. "As a family. Majority rules."

Jasper shook his head, frustrated, then looked up at Carlisle, defeated. "Fine. Let's vote."

Carlise turned to his wife. "Esme?"

"She stays." Esme's voice was immediate, and Carlisle nodded. "Alice?"

Alice hesitated for a long moment as she struggled with herself. I could hear the arguments running through her head, see the fragments of visions as they flickered in and out, showing her first one possibility, then another. Finally, with an apologetic look at Jasper, she straightened up. "We should give her the choice."

"We know your vote, Emmett." Carlisle turned in his chair. "Bella?"

Bella looked at me, then smiled. "Give her the choice."

"Edward?"

I looked at my Bella for a long moment, then returned her smile. "I agree. Let her decide." Bella beamed at me, and despite my misgivings, my dead heart leapt at her expression.

"Rosalie?"

The table suddenly went tense, as I realized that Rosalie had been surprisingly quiet during our meeting. I turned to stare at her now, surprised at the direction her thoughts were going, as she gazed at Carlisle.

"I say she stays." Rosalie's words were slow and deliberate. Beside me, Bella gasped. She was not the only one who looked shocked. Jasper, Alice, and Esme were all staring at Rosalie as if she'd suddenly grown a second head.

"What?" Rosalie snapped. "Why are you all so surprised? Did you think I was so eager to turn her over to the werewolves?" She shot an angry glance towards the main room. "They are presumptuous! How dare they hold themselves so high above us, pretend as though they are so much better, like accidents don't happen on the other side of the line when that ruined girl in there is proof positive that they do? How can we be sure Elisa would be any safer with them? We've all seen her in action...she speaks first, and thinks later, no matter who she is talking to. I give her three days, tops, before she causes one of them to implode. At least we can control ourselves." She sat back. "Ask her. If Elisa wants to stay, I think she should."

"That's my girl." Emmett was beaming at Rosalie now, his hand going forward to caress her cheek, and she smiled back at him.

Carlisle nodded now. "I also feel she should be given the choice. That just leaves one more vote to be cast. Jasper?" He turned to him.

Jasper stared around the table for a moment, then his eyes went to rest on Alice. "I...what the hell." He sighed. "I suppose I've acquired a taste for troublesome humans. Let her stay. We'll just have to come up with a strategy to avoid her crossing paths with the Volturi." His voice revealed grave doubt about how well we would be able to do that, but his mind was made up.

"Thank you, Jasper!" Alice hurled herself across the table and into his arms. "You won't regret this!" She laughed as he looked at her. "Well, not all of the time, any way. I have a feeling that life is about to get a lot more interesting around here."

"Great." Jasper shot a pointed look at Bella, then put his head in his hands. "I am not exactly sure how many more 'interesting' events I can take." His voice was muffled, but there was a tone of laughter in it.

"It's not decided yet." Carlisle cautioned. He looked towards the main room. "Elisa must have the choice. She's already said she doesn't want to be a vampire. Living in a house full of them may not be what she wants either."

And with that, we stood up, ready to go back to the main room, knowing that what happened in the next few minutes would change the face of our family, and our future...possibly forever.

.

Elisa:

Nervously, I shifted from foot to foot as Sam and Emily's dark eyes surveyed me. For a moment, there was silence, then Sam lifted his head, staring down the hall as if to make sure no one was still lurking in the shadows. Then he looked at me.

"We are alone now. I don't want you to be afraid to speak freely. Have they harmed you or threatened you, Elisa? There is no need to be frightened of them. We are equipped to deal with them, I promise you that." His voice held the tone of menace and I shivered before I looked back up at him.

"You have it all wrong! They haven't hurt me at all. Carlisle was telling you the truth. They saved me. I don't know where I would be without them." I stared at him, hoping he would see the sincerity in my face and let it go. The last thing I needed was to bring the werewolves down on the Cullens. So much was going wrong because of me...I stared at Sam and I couldn't help but remember what happened the last time I was allowed to interfere. He'd died. Along with Edward...Seth.. Guilt surged through me. Little did he know that I had been far more dangerous to him than a whole pack of vampires ever could be.

Sam's face hardened at my words. "You say you know what they are, but do you truly, Elisa? Do you have any idea what they are capable of?"

I thought back, to the threat I'd felt from Edward in the forest, and again from Rosalie the first time I'd come to this house, and the shivering returned, but just for a moment. I'd made the choice to trust them, just like they had for me. Defiantly, I lifted my head to stare Sam right in the eyes. "Yes." I said firmly. "I know. I know more than you think, and I still want to be here. I don't believe they would ever hurt me, but if something were to happen, it would be because I knew the risks and I took the chance anyway. It's not an excuse for you to start a fight!"

Sam's eyes darkened, and he glared at me for a moment before he spoke again. "How do you know, Elisa? Vampires don't reveal their secrets to just anyone, not without a very good reason. How is it that you know what they are and you have been allowed to live?"

Oh no. He wanted answers... There was no way I was going through the whole alternate universe explanation again. Not that it would do any good anyway...a few minutes of that and Sam would be convinced that the Cullens had either brain-washed me or they were putting crazy-making pills in my breakfast food.

I took a deep breath, thinking as fast as I could. Luckily, making up stories on the spot was something that came naturally to me, not only from all the years of day-dreaming, but because of all the times I'd had to avoid my father's wrath for something I'd done, or something he'd thought I'd done. I considered myself somewhat of an expert now on getting out of trouble with a convincing tale, but the stakes were far higher now then they'd ever been.

Edward, I hope you're listening... It was the first time I'd sent a thought directly at him, but I needed him to know and repeat my tale to the others, so they could back me up. Taking a deep breath, I plunged in. "No one told me anything. I found out by accident. I was on vacation with my family in Italy this spring. I wandered off by myself, and I came across...something." I looked at Sam, wondering how much he knew from Jacob's thoughts. "Do you know what the Volturi are?" I swallowed hard, praying I wasn't revealing any more of the Cullens' secrets.

"Vaguely." Sam answered. "Continue."

"OK then. I saw some of them, with Bella, and Edward. I overheard too much. If Edward hadn't intervened, they would have killed me. He saved my life. When my family died..." I took a deep breath, mustering enough courage to get through the next sentence. "...I thought of him and his family. I was desperate...I didn't have anywhere else to go, so I ran away. They took me in."

"I see." Sam's face was expressionless for a moment, then it suddenly flared to life again. "And us, Elisa? Do you know what we are?"

I looked at him. "You're a werewolf, you and your pack. You're enemies of the vampires." I gave myself a moment for inspiration to strike and then spoke again. "The Cullens had to tell me about you, to warn me to stay on this side of the line. They were afraid I might smell too much like them, that there might be a...mistake." I was pleased to see the agitation on his face at those words. It was about time he remembered that the werewolves were just as fallible as the vampires, maybe even more so because they didn't have all those decades of forced self-control to rely on.

Sam's voice was strained when he spoke again. "Well, now that we all know about each other, there is no need for caution anymore." He looked at Emily, reaching for her hand, and then returned his gaze to my face. "We will take you home with us, Elisa. We may not have the resources that the Cullens do ' - he looked around for a moment at the beautiful room and the grand furnishings as if they somehow offended him - 'but we can take care of you. You'll be better off."

Highly offended that he thought the Cullens' big screen tv and expensive amenities were what was keeping me there, I gave him a furious look. Before I could say anything though, a velvet, but authoritative voice spoke up.

"That is for Elisa to decide." Carlisle was coming back into the room, closely followed by the rest of his family. "We've talked over your offer, Sam, and we thank you for your generosity. However, Elisa will not have to leave here unless she chooses to do so."

For a moment Sam looked outraged, his whole frame trembling, but Emily squeezed his hand, whispering in his ear, and slowly, he relaxed. He turned back to me. "Very well. What is your decision, Elisa?"

For a moment, I couldn't speak. My heart felt like it was being squeezed in my chest as I turned to look at the faces surrounding me. Carlise, Esme, Edward, Bella, Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper, Alice...how could I leave them? They were all I had now. Why did I have to make this choice? I felt like a trophy - no, not even a trophy, because at least that would give me some status, some prestige. No, I was a bone, a dirty, chewed to death, worthless bone that the dog didn't even want - he just instinctively needed to bury it in his yard so no other beast could have it. I would be a burden on Sam and Emily and the limited resources of the reservation, but what about the burden I represented to the Cullens'?

I looked at Carlisle, knowing my eyes were swimming with tears that I could not allow to fall. "It would be easier for you, wouldn't it, if I left? You wouldn't have to worry about me, you wouldn't have to worry about the Volturi, or anything. I could cause you so many problems..."

No one spoke. I thought I saw Emmett open his mouth, but Carlisle shot him a stern look, and he closed it again immediately. His golden eyes remained fixed on my face.

I turned away. It hurt too much to look at them anymore, knowing what I had to do.

"OK." I whispered, looking at Sam. "I'll go with you." I almost said I'd get my stuff, but then I remembered that I had nothing. The few things the Cullens had bought for me, I would leave behind. I had taken enough from them - I would not take a single thing more.

"No!" Esme cried, stepping forward, and my heart felt like it was tearing in two. I forced myself not to look at her, knowing if I did, I'd break down.

"We told her it would be her choice." I heard Carlisle say, although his own voice sounded strained. "Elisa, are you sure this is what you want?" He turned to me.

I could only give him the briefest of glances before I had to stare down at the floor once more. "Yes." I said, trying to make my voice as hard as I could. "I'm sure."

I made the mistake of looking up, and Edward was there, his own eyes boring into mine. For a moment, I could not look away, but he broke the spell first, turning back to Carlisle. "She doesn't want to go."

My thin layer of self-control snapped at his words and I spun around to confront him. "Shut up, Edward!" My voice was a scream, and I saw the shocked expressions turned my way but I could not restrain myself. "Get out of my head! Why would you tell them that? You know this is for the best! If I stay, I'll just cause trouble. The werewolves will fight you, the Volturi could come after you...I won't do that to any of you! Just let me go!"

Edward's face was taut as he looked at me, then Sam and Emily, and finally back at his family. Emmett nodded at him and he turned back towards me. "No."

"Are you crazy?" I was shaking so hard I felt like I might explode into some strange creature myself. "Why are you doing this? Is it out of pity? I'm not stupid, you know. I know you don't really want me here, and you're not the only one." I looked at Rosalie and Jasper. "I'm going."

"Actually, Elisa, we have already voted on whether we want you to stay." Edward's words shocked me into stillness. "And we think you should." He smiled crookedly. "It was unanimous."

"What?" My jaw dropped so far it was amazing I could form words. "Unanimous? You mean all of you..." I stared at them, watching the smiles appear on their faces. "Why?" My voice was a croaky whisper.

Emmett stepped forward, grinning at me. "Because, kid, you're one of us."

Esme stepped forward as well, then angled herself between me and the front door before she spoke. "That's right. And I'm sure this will sound like a bit of a misnomer, but over my dead body will you walk out that door."

Emmett moved to stand next to her. "Mine too, kid, and believe me, I'm not easy to kill."

Alice chuckled, then was next to them in one fluid movement. "Add me to the 'dead body' club. You're not going anywhere."

Bella smiled at me. "Are you really going to make us all say it, Elisa?"

Rosalie sighed. "I hope not. I hate scenes." She studied her red nails for a moment, then looked at me. "It's already settled, Elisa, so stop being so overdramatic and deal with it already."

"Well, Elisa?" Carlisle's voice stopped anyone else from adding their two cents. "What do you say now?"

"I..." My breath caught and I knew I was about to cry, but I couldn't help it as the tears welled and spilled over onto my cheeks. "I guess I'm hanging with the vampires." My voice was a shaky whisper. "Thank you."

Emmett beamed at me. "Right on!"

Across the room, Sam suddenly growled, and I jumped, my heart skipping wildly. For a moment, I'd forgotten he and Emily were there. The Cullens immediately assumed defensive positions, moving to encircle me, Bella, and Carlisle as well as Sam turned in his direction. Outside, there was a sudden howl, then another, and fear ripped through me.

"This is unacceptable!" Sam roared, his dark eyes snapping. "She can't stay here! She's leaving...now!"

"It would have to be by force." Carlisle stepped forward to engage him. "You know what that would mean, Sam. We've kept our side of the pact and we will continue to. Are you really willing to risk the treaty by forcing Elisa to your will when she's clearly made up her mind? When there is no evidence that she's in any danger whatsoever? Are you so desperate for a war that you would risk your people like that? You can't honestly think you would win so easily, that none of your pack would be lost to this senseless upheaval. It's time to make your stand. Either begin the battle or take your Emily and go home. Be safe. Protect your people. Keep the peace, and we will as well."

For a moment they were at a standstill, golden eyes clashing against black ones, and then Emily moved to Sam's side, putting a restraining hand on his arm.

"Sam..." her whispering was pleading. "I don't like it either, but we have no choice. Let's go."

Sam maintained his near attacking stance. "I can't just leave her to their mercies, Emily. I'm a protector. It goes against everything I stand for."

"If you are that concerned, you are welcome to come back and check on her anytime. You as well, Emily." Carlisle's voice was less intense now, and that gave me hope. Maybe he sensed Sam was close to backing down.

Emily whispered to Sam again, her words unintelligible to me this time. Slowly, so slowly I wanted to scream with tension and fear, his large frame straightened, and then...he stepped back. He looked at me and shook his head. "You're making a mistake, but I suppose it is your choice." Then his head turned and now he was looking at Bella. I saw Edward tense, and his eyes blaze.

"Speaking of choices..." Sam gave her a long look, then turned back to Carlisle. "You will leave before another one is made. There will be no peace any longer if you do not. Is that clear?"

Carlisle nodded. "Of course. It is already decided. We're leaving immediately after the wedding." His eyes turned to me. "All of us."

"Don't come back." Sam gave Carlisle a final, hard look.

"We won't." It was Edward who spoke now. "Ever." Next to him, Bella was suddenly pale.

"Then that's all there's left to say." Sam turned now towards the door, taking Emily with him. "I will, however, be back to check on Elisa before you go."

"Fine." Carlisle's voice was smooth as he politely escorted them to the door. Just as he opened it for them, there was another short howl from the forest, then a series of quick, yipping barks. It was completely different from the ominous howls of earlier...it almost sounded playful.

Sam rolled his eyes, his face suddenly tight with annoyance. He turned to look at Edward. "Seth says hi." he grumbled unwillingly.

Edward smiled widely. "Tell him I said hello as well, if you don't mind."

Sam's flared nostrils said clearly that he did mind, but without another word, he and Emily strode out the door, and then they were gone.

And with their exit, the tension swirled out of the room, and in its place was something I didn't recognize at first, a strange sensation that filled me with warmth and security, making my skin tingle as it surrounded me. I considered for a moment, before I realized what it was. It was the sense of belonging. For the first time since my return, I felt hope, even anticipation, for the future. One of my lives had ended, but the other was just beginning, and for once, I couldn't wait to see what would happen next.

To Be Continued...

In Chapter Four, preparations for the wedding continue. Elisa explains her reasons for not wanting to become a vampire and Edward attempts to use her to manipulate Bella, but does he really want his plan to succeed? Or is it a case of 'be careful what you wish for?'

And Elisa has to deal with fresh pain when she finds that her return to the world of Twilight has left her with unexpected side effects...

Song line is from Here's Where I Stand, CAMP soundtrack.

Thank you for reading! I very much look forward to your feedback...it keeps me writing!